Ruth Howard Kempisty, longtime resident of Maspeth and Queens activist, passed away Tuesday, October 29, at the age of 95.

Kempisty and her husband John were a regular sight at many community meetings over the past three decades, but the United Veterans and Fraternal Organizations of Maspeth was her passion. Kempisty helped the organization run the Maspeth Memorial Day Parade for the past 29 years.

“Ruth was the leading lady of our organization,” said Kenneth Rudzewick, president of Maspeth Federal Savings and chairman of the group's Parade Committee. “She was a constant face of support for us.”

Kempisty, a veteran of World War II, also volunteered with Women in Military Service to America, Kowalinski Post, and the State Senate Veterans Advisory Council. She was a member of the Community Board 5 Parks Committee and was involved with the civic group COMET.

“Ruth and her husband John really looked after Frontera Park,” said CB5 district manager Gary Giordano. “They fostered the stability of what is now a beautiful park in Maspeth. We will miss her at our meetings.”

Kempisty and her husband were featured in a 1993 Queens Ledger “Minutes of the Military” piece written by Jane Sullivan Crowley.

“She and her husband John are some of the most warm and wonderful people we have met,” said Cathy O’Leary, associate at the community board office. “She was like an angel.”

Kempisty is survived by her husband, daughters Katherine Torti and Barbara Batini, son John, and in-laws Kenneth Batini and Theresa Kempisty. She was the sister of George, James and Frank, and sister-in-law of Helen and Harvey Heim.

She was the grandmother of Marea Meyer, John and James Kempisty and the late Charles A. Garvey, and great-grandmother of Joseph, Philip, Alea and JJ.

She was buried at St. John’s Cemetery.

The family requests that memorial donations be made to The American Cancer Society, Memorial Processing Center, PO Box 7, East Syracuse, NY 13057.